UN 66601 

The Last Semester: Making the Most of Little Time Left

Instructor: Olivia Packenham (packenho@bc.edu)

Class Meetings: M, W, TH, F, S, Su (Nothing Ever Happens on Tu Anyways)

Class Location: Grounds of Boston College Campus

Office: Ruby C25, Room A

Office Hours: Room A, 12:00pm-2:00pm

Required Text: David Foster Wallace. Infinite Jest. The rest will be to be determined. A variety of movies, TV shows, articles and material will be recommended throughout the course.

Required Materials: follow me on Twitter (@iapacky)

During this course, we will:

listen to the long rants of self doubt as the traditional American childhood comes to an end. The span of material will cover the complex social situation of current college students by examining the daily struggles of one individual through her senior spring semester. By shaping the identify (both real and perceived) through habits, the class will trace the affects of how technology has infiltrated into American culture at large. Topics of interest will include race, class, religion, gender, and other "hot button" issues.

After this course, you will be able to:

1. demonstrate an ability to identify the Olivia brand

2. employ a working knowledge of the internal struggle of other American 20-somethings

3. identify pitfalls and opportunities of social media

4. express an understanding of the most influential interaction during college

5. discuss the social trends in relation to the transition from childhood to freshman adulthood

I expect you to:

1. attend and participate in all posts

2. be respectful of the author's idea (which are truly her's and do not reflect anyone else's opinion)

3. complete all assignments on or before the date listed on the original posting

4. undergo assessments throughout the semester, such as exams, short papers and engaging the author on Twitter

Grade Distribution:

Excel at Spring '14 40%

Spontaneous Adventures 25% (Min. of 5 as each will be worth 5%)

Social Media (Twitter) 20%

Go out on a Weeknight 10% (Each time will be worth 2% each)

Senior Year Stuff            5%    

University Policy on Academic Integrity:

Each student is expected to turn in work completed independently, except when assignments specifically authorize collaborative effort. It is not acceptable to use the words or ideas of another person without proper acknowledgement of that source. Violations of the University policy on academic integrity may result in failure of the course or failure on the assignment.

Please refer to the Boston College policy.

Please note that changes may be made at the author's discretion. Grammar is consider a foreign language and the author writes as she talks. It may take some getting use to. All assignments (both reading and listening) should be done before the class. Everything will be discussed.